would like some help with value

[1933beer]

hi I am new to bmw. I have a chance to buy a nice 1997 z3 with the 4 cylinder engine. It has about 56k a clear bra green never driven in winter. It is in great shape. The person is going to sell soon and said they erew going to ask 9000 for it. Everything I have seen says it should be 6 to 7k. I am sorry I don't' have more options information I think it is a 5 speed it has air it is a cab. What else would affect the value. I have a 1990 porsche 944 s2 cab and a 1985 toyota celica gts cab. So I like and know toyotas and my porsche my brother inlaw has a 2004 m3 cab that has been great for him. I am not needing great power in this car just what I should offer and what I mite need see reciepts for.

is the 4 cylinder and interference engine like my porsche?
thanks for the help.

[cngizbleevng]

The price sounds a bit high to me.

[1933beer]

The price sounds a bit high to me.

Can you say what a bit is 500, 1000,

[gmushial]

Given the time of year, and given the year, $9K is not out of line with what the market is asking and getting. ... I've been watching for a '98 1.9 for my oldest and am kicking myself for not buying it last winter and storing it - then a very nice 1.9 could have been had for $5-6k; now they're running like you're talking, or worse.... seems that the marketplace has developed a sweet spot for the 1.9's... in many cases they're fetching more than the 2.5 and even 2.8's. Today, the two hot, driving Z3's are the 1.9 and 3.0's [this is ignoring the S52s and S54, which I refer to as MZ3's.]

[328 Power 04]

hi I am new to bmw. I have a chance to buy a nice 1997 z3 with the 4 cylinder engine. It has about 56k a clear bra green never driven in winter. It is in great shape. The person is going to sell soon and said they erew going to ask 9000 for it. Everything I have seen says it should be 6 to 7k. I am sorry I don't' have more options information I think it is a 5 speed it has air it is a cab. What else would affect the value. I have a 1990 porsche 944 s2 cab and a 1985 toyota celica gts cab. So I like and know toyotas and my porsche my brother inlaw has a 2004 m3 cab that has been great for him. I am not needing great power in this car just what I should offer and what I mite need see reciepts for.

is the 4 cylinder and interference engine like my porsche?
thanks for the help.

No more than 7k.

Also that engine has a timing chain, so it's not a big issue like a timing belted interference engine.

[1933beer]

Great, I hate changing my belts every 3 years

[gmushial]

Great, I hate changing my belts every 3 years

Even brand T has moved away from the rubber band drive belts - simply too much of a liability; only brand H still insists on using them [at least of the non-American mfgs].

[BimmerBreaker]

I wouldnt pay anything close to that for a '97 4 banger. Thats a $4-5k car in my area even at that mileage.

[Dammit]

Even brand T has moved away from the rubber band drive belts - simply too much of a liability; only brand H still insists on using them [at least of the non-American mfgs].

Brand H moved away from the as well on their 4cyl engines long ago. Some of the 6's still have them.

[gmushial]

Here's a couple sources:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cars-Trucks-...&_nkw=BMW%20Z3

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...tDirection=ASC

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...=GN_REFINEMENT

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Z3%7C1.9&Log=0

[SounderMN]

I think $7k is a good number, too, given the mileage and assuming good mechanical and cosmetic condition. I looked at one here locally in DC. Around 75k miles, 1.9 manual, in good condition (not great). It was listed at $6500 and I could have gotten it at about $6k I think. Yours sounds nicer, lower mileage, so a bit of a premium. Not $9k though.

[328 Power 04]

9k can get you a good 2.8 or even 3.0 inline 6. The 6 cylinder is just as bulletproof, and smoother than butter. Well for that matter, the '2.3', 2.5i, and both versions of the 2.8 are in that price range. 9k is just too much.

[sometrumpetguy]

I live in Hawaii where Roadsters are always in season and a low mileage 2.3 is available right now in good condition for $6200 or a 3.0 for $7900 with 110,000 miles.

[1933beer]

I live in Hawaii where Roadsters are always in season and a low mileage 2.3 is available right now in good condition for $6200 or a 3.0 for $7900 with 110,000 miles.

I appreciate all the in put. I live in Iowa near Omaha, NE so we don't get to drive them all year. This car has had a nice life. It is my ex commander's wife's car she has alargies had can't enjoy the car he drove it once in a while to drill but that was about it. I love the dark green color. And he says he has maintenance records.

what is ment buy H brand, T brand Toyota? Honda?

Is the 4banger not bullet proof? Yes I would prefer a 6. I did read a comment about one z3 4 sale that they need a new head gasket at 100000. True? I didn't see anything in the what to look for thread.

I don't like the extra maintenance on my Porsche but when I drive it on a curved road I love it.

thanks again.

[328 Power 04]

I appreciate all the in put. I live in Iowa near Omaha, NE so we don't get to drive them all year. This car has had a nice life. It is my ex commander's wife's car she has alargies had can't enjoy the car he drove it once in a while to drill but that was about it. I love the dark green color. And he says he has maintenance records.

what is ment buy H brand, T brand Toyota? Honda?

Is the 4banger not bullet proof? Yes I would prefer a 6. I did read a comment about one z3 4 sale that they need a new head gasket at 100000. True? I didn't see anything in the what to look for thread.

I don't like the extra maintenance on my Porsche but when I drive it on a curved road I love it.

thanks again.

The 4 cylinder is a very reliable engine, as is the inline 6. Headgasket at 100000 miles is a myth, a car not maintained. A basic cooling system maintenance is cheap and prevents major issues. My 328is (2.8L inline 6, with many mods) has an unbelievable 209000 miles on it, and I use it mainly as a fun car/amateur track days. It withstands 30 straight minutes of very aggressive track driving easy. I've done a few rounds like that with it at MSR Houston. Engine is all original, and is more powerful than it ever was, oil consumption is within factory specs, and all cylinders have good compression. It has been well maintained by me.

[la halte]

The 4 cylinder is a very reliable engine, as is the inline 6. Headgasket at 100000 miles is a myth, a car not maintained. A basic cooling system maintenance is cheap and prevents major issues. My 328is (2.8L inline 6, with many mods) has an unbelievable 209000 miles on it, and I use it mainly as a fun car/amateur track days. It withstands 30 straight minutes of very aggressive track driving easy. I've done a few rounds like that with it at MSR Houston. Engine is all original, and is more powerful than it ever was, oil consumption is within factory specs, and all cylinders have good compression. It has been well maintained by me.

Just bought a z3 1.9 1998 for 5,000.It was owned by an engineer that did all the maintenance.It had 100,000 miles and in fairly nice condition black with tan interior.I probably would have liked a 2.8 but there is something visceral about the four banger that I enjoy

[Scarceas]

You can find a high mileage S52 (08-00 M Roadster) that's still in decent shape for that money. I wouldn't pay more than $6K for that car and only that much IF it was in excellent condition. For context, I purchased a well running M Roadster with 160K miles for around $7K. There are some common issues not related to drivetrain among Z3 based models: seat bushings, seat belt guides, glove box sagging, blown subwoofer, power window window sliders... I wouldn't pay a premium price for the 4 cyl unless it checked out on all those issues, plus a mechanical PPI. On the bright side, the differential mount and trunk floor issue is not as prevalent on the 4 cyl models.

[1933beer]

You can find a high mileage S52 (08-00 M Roadster) that's still in decent shape for that money. I wouldn't pay more than $6K for that car and only that much IF it was in excellent condition. For context, I purchased a well running M Roadster with 160K miles for around $7K. There are some common issues not related to drivetrain among Z3 based models: seat bushings, seat belt guides, glove box sagging, blown subwoofer, power window window sliders... I wouldn't pay a premium price for the 4 cyl unless it checked out on all those issues, plus a mechanical PPI. On the bright side, the differential mount and trunk floor issue is not as prevalent on the 4 cyl models.

I don't remember reading about the trunk mount. What do I look for?

can you still get parts for the things that go out on these cars? I can get parts for my porsche ( most anyway) and I can get most for our 85 celica but there are more for it that I can't because it was only used on the cab.

I will get a list of options and will have to drive the car. I can do all the work that it might need in the future. I don't think it needs any now. I just hope they realise the car is only worth 6 to 7k if I like the way it drivesi would buy it.

[1933beer]

Here's a couple sources:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cars-Trucks-...&_nkw=BMW%20Z3

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...tDirection=ASC

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...=GN_REFINEMENT

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Z3%7C1.9&Log=0

OK I looked at these listing and for a lower mileage 1.9 they run 7 to 9k. I guess that would be asking price so 6 to 8k .
For some reason I reply I posted did t post. Where do you buy parts for these cars?
Can all parts still be gotten for these cars?

[1933beer]

I will try this for the 3rd time. I write a post then when I come back to see response it is not there. I looked at the links and the cost of low mileage cars is 7 to 9k.

I had also asked where do you buy your parts?
What does h brand and t brand stand for?

I asked other questions but I will live.

[steve f]

9k is a lot more than most of us would pay for a 1.9, even a well maintained unit, but a car is worth what you are willing to pay for it. It is unlikely you'd recover anywhere near that if you decided to sell it later, but if you enjoy it and drive it for years to come, then it could be worth that money to you.

Many on line sources for parts. Start by looking at the forum sponsors. You may get lucky and have a good dealer with reasonable pricing near you.
Brand H = Honda, Brand T = Toyota. You answered your own question, so...

The 1.9 is a very reliable engine if it is properly maintained, particularly the cooling system. Most of the premature failures are due to overheating. I've got one 1.9 with 225,000
miles on the original motor and is runs an aftermarket supercharger, a second with 120,000 miles and I just bought a third supercharged car with just under 100k. Added all together the total purchase price I paid for all 3 wasn't a lot more than the purchase price of this one, but I did pay what I thought was as high a price as I was willing to go for the recent purchase.

Enjoy!!!

[daka]

Most important is the CONDITION of the car....I think IF the car is an ABSOLUTELY PERFECT GARAGE QUEEN and that is what you are looking for it may be worth it,
BUT remember if you are going to use the car for everyday use, is a MINT car really necessary?
Just as an aside I bought a VERY nice (9+) Topaz/Tan 2001 2.5/5 52,000 mile car a year ago for $8500, before that I had a 97 1.9/5 (6) I was happy with that power wise, but it was a bit "rougher" than I liked, that went for $5800 on EBAY a year ago....the 2.5 is like a little rocket ship, I can only imagine what a 3.0 or an M feels like....
You need to be happy with the car...

[328 Power 04]

I will try this for the 3rd time. I write a post then when I come back to see response it is not there. I looked at the links and the cost of low mileage cars is 7 to 9k.

I had also asked where do you buy your parts?
What does h brand and t brand stand for?

I asked other questions but I will live.

www.realoem.com to get part numbers, extremely helpful site.

For purchases I use:
www.pelicanparts.com
www.fcpeuro.com
www.thebmwpartstore.com (dealer parts for the best price)
www.getbmwparts.com (dealer parts)
www.rmeuropean.com
www.rockauto.com (these guys are awesome, excellent vendor of well priced aftermarket parts)


and sometimes:
www.amazon.com
www.turnermotorsport.com
www.bimmerworld.com
www.uucmotorwerks.com

Check out the vendors/sponsors of this site. Also the group buy forum has excellent deals on pads and rotors, etc.

Ebay and the classifieds for hard to find parts. Nearly all parts are still available. There have been some scares about body panels (hoods) not being available, however the OEM manufacturer is a USA manufacturer and is still stamping out hoods.

The Z3 shares a large amount of parts with E36 (1992-1999) 3 Series (and facelifted Z3 with the e46), so there is still a large market for parts.




Lately I've been buying through a friend that buys through WorldPac (wholesale only), so the prices are great and get parts same or next day.

Hope this helps.

[daka]

H Honda
T Toyota ??

[Vintage42]

9k is a lot more than most of us would pay for a 1.9, even a well maintained unit, but a car is worth what you are willing to pay for it....

That is less than I paid for my 1.9. For what I paid for the 1.9, I could have had the newer M or 2.5 that I test drove. They only had 65K and 35K, but already had suspension noises, rattles, stiff squeaky clutches and water leaks, and were a handful to drive. So I was glad to find a nice 1.9 at a dealer, a garage queen with 32K and owned most of its life by someone who bought it from the same dealer as a Certified Pre-Owned, and traded it back at age 90.

... I have a chance to buy a nice 1997 z3 with the 4 cylinder engine. It has about 56k a clear bra green never driven in winter. It is in great shape. The person is going to sell soon and said they erew going to ask 9000 for it...

This car has had a nice life. It is my ex commander's wife's car she has alargies had can't enjoy the car he drove it once in a while to drill but that was about it. I love the dark green color. And he says he has maintenance records.

As you might tell from my history, I would do it. Unless you search and travel, you are not likely to find as nice a Z3. Like mine, a car with low miles, a known gentle driver, a good maintenance history, garaged when not used, and stored winters.